The marathon joint in camera session of the Parliament is over and Media machine will go on churning for weeks to come, the political consequences, the armed forces status, Pakistans policy shift ? he loves me, he loves me not.. blah bla, bla.but simply lets ask : was there something new in our approach, body language or resolve ? any concrete assurances by those who have levers in hand ? something more than words and finally at least a composite road map of moving ahead ??
What was briefed by ISI Chief was already known to the nation. What politicians spoke of, was everyday rhetoric in Pakistan. We know for 60 years that nation stands behind Armed Forces. Pakistan is always going through dangerous phase.American war crimes, breach of our sovereignty and our warnings to react harsh next time are also routine matter, then why did we need a big show like that ?
In fact what happened in joint session has caused more anxiety in minds, rather than consoling the injured souls. Some serious questions arise from this session.
Lets analyze the minutes of the session to find some answers.
The prime purpose of this mega effort was to bring politicians and Armed Forces closer to work-out strategy to overcome the public criticism, consolidate efforts to defend the homeland and to carve a policy shift in our relations to US and our role in war on terror. So, possibly expected proposed measures could have been practical, like:-
Just look at shattered but still loosely related matters. Armed Forces say Shamsi Air base is in UAE hands and Drones fly from there. On this crude defense issue, if Army is not supportive to US, what is problem in asking Government to remove this threat to our national security ? Can Zardari even imagine to play against Pak. Defenses ? but if its going on over the years, Army and Government seem to be on the same page.
If Pakistan has capability to hunt down the Drones and despite the fact that Pakistan Government has denied it before, will Army and Government join hands now to stop the incursions ?
Will the government cancel the visas issued in bulk to CIA agents without proper check-up, reduce the number of US spy agents and stop by-passing ISI in such matters ? Will CAOS press the politicians on this sensitive issue ?
NATO heavy containers have damaged our Road Network for years and each load causes damage in lacs of rupees, will Government raise the charges from mere PKR.40/= per truck to at least 40,000/= per truck that sounds a bit reasonable ?
US accusations of our inability or accomplice in Osamas hiding are in full swing, will we ask them loud and clear to explain how they narrate 9/11 event while having the best resourceful spy network globally ?
Coming days will tell whether Armed Forces are in action to mend the holes in security net with help of Government and whether the Government is really
ready to prefer Pak interests over US designs.
With strong influence of Armed Forces in power corridors of Pakistan, if the issues mentioned above are not tackled by Pak istan, the joint session of parliament will be remembered as a joint cover-up and cool-down attempt.
What was briefed by ISI Chief was already known to the nation. What politicians spoke of, was everyday rhetoric in Pakistan. We know for 60 years that nation stands behind Armed Forces. Pakistan is always going through dangerous phase.American war crimes, breach of our sovereignty and our warnings to react harsh next time are also routine matter, then why did we need a big show like that ?
In fact what happened in joint session has caused more anxiety in minds, rather than consoling the injured souls. Some serious questions arise from this session.
Lets analyze the minutes of the session to find some answers.
The prime purpose of this mega effort was to bring politicians and Armed Forces closer to work-out strategy to overcome the public criticism, consolidate efforts to defend the homeland and to carve a policy shift in our relations to US and our role in war on terror. So, possibly expected proposed measures could have been practical, like:-
- US will be officially informed that Drones in Pak air space will be shot down without warning in future.
- Shamsi air base lease to UAE will be cancelled in short time and be handed-over to Pak Air Force.
- Intelligence sharing will be based on mutual interest, if US found concealing something, ISI will be doing likewise.
- All the verbal understandings between Pak-US high ups will be of no value but only officially documented policy and working plan will be followed. All such documentation will not be limited to President to President or COAS to US SOD but at least defense committee of Parliament will be taken into confidence.
- NATO supplies en-route Pakistan will be charged at reasonable rate.
- US States Deptt, White House and Congressmen will be made understood that unnecessary, threatening and biased statements will be having due impact on Pakistans support to US war.We wont let you take us for granted.
Just look at shattered but still loosely related matters. Armed Forces say Shamsi Air base is in UAE hands and Drones fly from there. On this crude defense issue, if Army is not supportive to US, what is problem in asking Government to remove this threat to our national security ? Can Zardari even imagine to play against Pak. Defenses ? but if its going on over the years, Army and Government seem to be on the same page.
If Pakistan has capability to hunt down the Drones and despite the fact that Pakistan Government has denied it before, will Army and Government join hands now to stop the incursions ?
Will the government cancel the visas issued in bulk to CIA agents without proper check-up, reduce the number of US spy agents and stop by-passing ISI in such matters ? Will CAOS press the politicians on this sensitive issue ?
NATO heavy containers have damaged our Road Network for years and each load causes damage in lacs of rupees, will Government raise the charges from mere PKR.40/= per truck to at least 40,000/= per truck that sounds a bit reasonable ?
US accusations of our inability or accomplice in Osamas hiding are in full swing, will we ask them loud and clear to explain how they narrate 9/11 event while having the best resourceful spy network globally ?
Coming days will tell whether Armed Forces are in action to mend the holes in security net with help of Government and whether the Government is really
ready to prefer Pak interests over US designs.
With strong influence of Armed Forces in power corridors of Pakistan, if the issues mentioned above are not tackled by Pak istan, the joint session of parliament will be remembered as a joint cover-up and cool-down attempt.
